“I am brave! I am strong! I am powerful!”
Best of All Moment Jenny, a program leader for many of our programs at GiGi's Playhouse Chicago, completed a Best of All sheet for Ahamad after he impressed everyone with his Karate skills back in August. She wrote, "Sometimes Ahamad can be a little shy and quiet; but, when he...
Join Us Again for our 4th Annual Dance-A-Thon
Show us your newest dance moves at our 4th Annual Get Down With Down Syndrome Dance-A-Thon! What is the Get Down With Down Syndrome Dance-a-thon? The Get Down With Down Syndrome Dance-A-thon is a three-hour dance party, complete with a DJ, fun and games, a photo booth provided by Picture...
Shattering Glass Ceilings in Literacy
Individuals with Down syndrome CAN do research! There are three levels to our 1:1 Literacy Tutoring program. The first one starts off at a very basic level: attending to a story from start to finish, turning pages, pointing to characters and objects in the pictures etc. Level two pushes a...
Best of All: Rising Star Emma
Nobody puts Emma in a corner! Emma has been wanting to attend a dance class for a long time. So, when we stared our Dance and Yoga program they jumped at the opportunity. Every Wednesday night we'd see Emma on the dance floor improving skills in memorization of the new...
Leaders of Language, Music, ‘n Our Peeps (LMNOP)
LMNOP Back With A BANG! Language, Music, 'n Our Peeps isn't your typical music circle you might participate in at the library or community center. This program guides parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language based activities. LMNOP is led...
Artists at the GiGi’s Chicago Playhouse
Art Explodes at GiGi's Playhouse! Last fall, fourteen individuals with Down syndrome put their art skills to the test with our Art Explosion! program. Due to the large amount of success after a few small workshop classes, a new 5 week programs was created! Over the course of those 5...
Runs for Ted!
Take me out to a ball game, or 30 games! This family of four from Arizona has decided to take a road trip to all 30 major league baseball stadiums. They will travel across the country in a span of 3 months! They have a facebook page and a website where...
Grab a Co-Worker and Come Hang Out With Us!
Group Shot with The Nielsen Company Volunteers Company Sponsored Events at the Playhouse Last Thursday, The Nielsen Company came and sponsored an open play for the GiGi's Chicago Playhouse. The volunteers did face painting and temporary tattoos for our teens. They played indoor beach volleyball because...
Meet Isabelle, Our New Summer Intern
Hi everyone, my name is Isabelle Ketchum and I'm 18 years old. I attend Elmhurst college and this is the end of my freshmen year. I'm about to be a sophomore. I can't wait to embark on a new chapter in my life let's get started. For starters,...
Tutoring, a lesson in confidence
"I Don't know if I can add any value" Aaron raised his hand at the tutoring training and said, "I just don't know if I can add any value to a student's life through tutoring. I'm not a teacher, I don't know much about people with Down syndrome, and I...
#WishListWednesday – Our Biggest Wish
On #WishListWednesday we give thanks to all of our families and friends who have generously donated items from our wish list. A pop-in visit from Nancy Gianni and her son, Franco, yesterday reminded us what our BIGGEST Wish is: Acceptance. Nancy's Message ...
Scott comes out of his shell at Improv class!
Going from shy to STAR! Scott is one of the many participants in our Fantastic Friends program. While he truly enjoys the program, he's usually pretty shy and reserved before he participates. Scott is the guy who stands on the outsides and calculates what his next move will be. He...
